What can we learn from our loops?
1. I mention the "cost" of behaviors. This refers to generally how taxing a behavior is, either mentally, physically, or both for the dog. More taxing behaviors often require either a higher rate of reinforcement (meaning finer splitting) or a higher value/higher arousal level reinforcer than other behaviors.
Example: I can reward tunnels with kibble (low value, low arousal) because they are neither mentally or physically taxing for Shrek. Jumping, however, I need to reward either with meaty treats or his frisbee. Both of those reinforcers are higher in value and increase his arousal level which is what is needed for sessions that include a lot of jumping.
2. Below is an example of the environment affecting the loop. Do you notice that when Shrek sniffs, I "help" him by grabbing his collar. But does that solve the problem? No. It makes it worse. In that moment, Shrek was telling me that he could not start another rep, and when I "made" him, it was rehearsal of the wrong thing! A lose-lose situation.
3. Here is an example of a session that never began. Torch was engaged, but he had zero interest in the motivator I had for him, so I quickly lost his interest, so no training happened in this moment.
4. Here is an example of a session that ended early. Shrek was able to engage in the loop of eye contact to manners minder, until I wanted to increase difficulty and include leash removal. Therefore, after two failed attempts at removing the leash, this session ended early.
Action Item:
Take a look at those same three videos again. What can you observe in those sessions based on the things discussed in this lesson?